Ask for an inspection asap. If you go to BMW, you'll end up with exactly the opposite of what you want... They'll jump on that repair and tell you they'll handle it, then bill the insurance company whatever they feel like...

-do you best to notice and write down any blemishes and damaged parts. Your wheel could be misaligned for exemple ($$), just say it pulls to the left, a steering wobble... whatever...

-get it inspected by the insurance and give "your" report of the damages to the guy doing it.

-Categorically refuse the first numbers the insurance company will give you

-Ask to "manage" the repairs yourself

-Then do what you need to do to put the car back in shape, managing your costs.

Only tips I can give you.

I had to do this one time on another car I ended up having the adjuster come over and he said it was an xxxxx amount to have it fixed and when he gave me the check my lawyer made me put on the back of the check something that way this is not the final # personally I think I will probably buy oem parts of other members already painted and then go to palace and have them install it. And then Ill have to worry about the deminishing value battle

Like others have said, you have to get an appraiser (200-400 dollars) to come up with the diminish value and then give it your insurance company. Most of the time they will come back with a lower value, but stay strong and you will get some back - prob looking at a few thousand in your bank acct.

Ask for an inspection asap. If you go to BMW, you'll end up with exactly the opposite of what you want... They'll jump on that repair and tell you they'll handle it, then bill the insurance company whatever they feel like...

-do you best to notice and write down any blemishes and damaged parts. Your wheel could be misaligned for exemple ($$), just say it pulls to the left, a steering wobble... whatever...

-get it inspected by the insurance and give "your" report of the damages to the guy doing it.

-Categorically refuse the first numbers the insurance company will give you

-Ask to "manage" the repairs yourself

-Then do what you need to do to put the car back in shape, managing your costs.

Only tips I can give you.

Some bad tips and advises.

1. BMW Centers will NOT start repairs on their own without your consent. You can instruct them to start the work only AFTER they and the insurance adjuster have agreed on the repair cost. I've fixed my vehicles at BMW Centers, and there is rarely any issue with insurance.

2. I would advise against putting any list of damages in writing. Let the repair shop and the insurance adjuster do their job. Read the list they create, and then (and only then) point out any missing items. You'll not be able to document as well as the trained professionals, and if you miss any item on your list, it may come back and bite you later. And do NOT send your own report to the at-fault party. It doesn't accomplish anything, and it may be used against you if your list isn't complete and/or accurate.

3. Why wouldn't you let the insurance company pay out the repair shop and rental company? There is no upside to managing your own cost. The insurance company will pay out for actual cost, so there isn't any benefit to managing your own cost. This is especially true if the repair shop finds additional damages after the initial inspection. You don't want to argue with the insurance company why you need more money to fix the car. Let the repair shop deal with the insurance company and convince them that additional repairs are needed. Only get involved if the insurance company refuses to pay out for legitimate repairs.

4. I'll agree that you should pick your own repair shop, and most insurance companies will allow this within reason (as long as the shop accepts prevailing rates for parts and labor).

5. There is no reason to refuse the first numbers categorically. The repair amount will need to be agreed to between the repair shop you pick (hopefully it's one that you trust) and the insurance company. Rental cost (of the equivalent value) should be paid by the insurance company. It's tricky because most national rental companies (Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, etc.) don't carry $70k cars, but I wouldn't argue too much about it. Pick your battles carefully. If you sound too difficult/combative, most insurance companies will respond in kind. Remember, they have more lawyers on their payroll than you do. Save your energy for the diminished value battle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jch99

Like others have said, you have to get an appraiser (200-400 dollars) to come up with the diminish value and then give it your insurance company. Most of the time they will come back with a lower value, but stay strong and you will get some back - prob looking at a few thousand in your bank acct.

I don't think you need an "appraiser". It's not like they are licensed appraisers (like in the real estate market). A signed letter by your local BMW Center (especially from someone like a used car sales manager) will most likely be as good, if not better.

Again, typically, the insurance company will deny this unless you show your willingness to lawyer up to recoup the value in diminution.

The only reason I suggested he does what I said is to get as much money out of it as possible while spending as little as possible. That's it.

That doesn't mean the adjuster shouldn't inspect the car and just base his estimate on yours, that's not gonna happen anyway. What he should do is notice things that the adjuster might miss, like road behavior or vibration etc...

I suggested he handle repairs on his own for the same reason listed above, because it's a very simple repair based on pictures. Any local shop can do it. And you only go to the dealership for thing that affect power train or mechanical/electrical.

So just got of the phone withe their adjuster he was pushing me to go to one of their service centers because how much more convenient it would be and all other bs. Then I told him I already have an estimate from bmw and he said that I just waisted my time doing that because it will be their estimate.
As far as the diminished value should I mention that to the their adjuster or wait till the car is fixed and then call the claim representative. Also I was thinking about having some letter typed out where they sign it so that it said that this does not complete my claim as I will be going after the diminished value money.

This is a perfect example of an unspoken benefit of leasing. When you own and you have an accident that is often totally out of your control, you are nailed with your car being worth a crapload less. If you live anywhere with bad weather to me its a no brainer to lease-too many out of control accidents that you simply cannot prevent.

This is a perfect example of an unspoken benefit of leasing. When you own and you have an accident that is often totally out of your control, you are nailed with your car being worth a crapload less. If you live anywhere with bad weather to me its a no brainer to lease-too many out of control accidents that you simply cannot prevent.

But if you lease u end up paying 20k in payments and then u have no car after lease.
Either way a bad deal

I am pretty sure you can get paid for lost value (Diminished Value, I believe is the official term). That sucks though. Really, really sucks.

You CAN get the diminished value difference from the other person's insurance, I have done it and its simple. The insurance will straight up deny you if you just ask, what i did is I went online and found a place that did all the paperwork for me and also sent it to the insurance company. $300 later and 2 weeks after, I had a check for $5,000 on my ex-wife's Civic which was hit and repaired.

I can look for the place in my emails, but its gonna take a bit. But to answer this question, yes you can and I highly encourage it (mod money).

You CAN get the diminished value difference from the other person's insurance, I have done it and its simple. The insurance will straight up deny you if you just ask, what i did is I went online and found a place that did all the paperwork for me and also sent it to the insurance company. $300 later and 2 weeks after, I had a check for $5,000 on my ex-wife's Civic which was hit and repaired.

I can look for the place in my emails, but its gonna take a bit. But to answer this question, yes you can and I highly encourage it (mod money).

Let me know if you find it I was looking online and found a couple places that just tell u your deminished value but and write out the letter but you have to send it and do the rest

Let me know if you find it I was looking online and found a couple places that just tell u your deminished value but and write out the letter but you have to send it and do the rest

Found it. I used Appraisal Group of America, spoke to Monica Fisher. I just saw they have some negative reviews online which is puzzling seeing how I had amazing service with multiple phone calls and quick turnaround time from the time the claim was submitted to when i got my check.

let me know if you want to see the report as well, I can email it to you.